A man who punched his ex-partner and kicked out and spat at officers has been given a seven-month prison sentence.

On July 9, police received a call from the victim that she had been assaulted by her ex-partner.

She told police that Richard Aidan Slattery (34), of Trasna Way, Lisnaskea – who was appearing via videolink from Maghaberry Prison, where he is currently a sentenced prisoner – had been outside her house banging doors and windows.

Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard she did not answer but then heard a verbal argument between Slattery and her sister's boyfriend, and she went out to tell him to stop making a scene.

It was at this stage that Slattery hit the injured party on the face, causing bleeding, swelling and soreness, before she went back into the house and called the police.

Police attended Slattery, and when they arrested him he became violent, kicking the legs of one officer, and was abusive, making remarks about murdered police officer Ronan Kerr, and saying that he knew where the officers lived, the court heard.

Slattery spat at officers when he was put in the police car, and managed to remove a spit hood on him while continuing to be aggressive throughout. He also bit another officer.

When interviewed, Slattery claimed he suffered from short-term memory loss and struggled to account for his actions before his arrest. 

He said on July 9, he had drank six bottles of Stella, but denied an altercation with his ex-partner. He also could not recall kicking, biting or spitting, but said if he did he was sorry for doing so.

In another incident, heard on Monday at Enniskillen Magistrates Court, it was heard on September 3, 2021, police were called to Trasna Way by Slattery's ex-partner.

When police, who were concerned about a domestic incident, tried to arrest him, he hit out at them and became volatile, resulting in limb restraints being applied.

Before Slattery's solicitor gave his submissions, District Judge Steven Keown said the defendant was someone who had no hesitation inflicting damage on police or females.

Slattery's solicitor, Michael Fahy, said it was hard to argue with that view, given the behaviour of his client. However, Mr. Fahy said Slattery was entitled to maximum credit for his guilty plea at the first opportunity, and his "tacit and pragmatic approach" to the charges.

For the July 9 incident, Slattery was convicted of common assault, four charges of assault on police, criminal damage, disorderly behaviour and resisting police.

For the September 3 incident, he was convicted of assault on police and resisting arrest.

In total, Slattery received a seven-month prison sentence, and a three-year restraining order.